Heater/Thermostat housing

[Jack PeppiattParticipant]

I would like to fit a heater to my light 15 (Smiths or Claydon for instance) because I use the car except when there is salt on the roads. I have read the articles in the magazine, but am enquiring about what heater and source others may have found and fitted and what, if any, solution you may have discovered about a thermostat housing. I am not inclined to fit one of the in-hose thermostats, preferring if possible a metal or plastic housing with side take off for heater supply.

photos would be welcome if you have them please

Thank you in anticipation

I am also looking for a scrap square Jaeger clock, needing the flexible hand adjuster for my otherwise working clock.

[AlistairParticipant]

Type heater into the search bar and you will see some pictures I put on the forum of my Light 15 hook-up. The Clayton heater is mounted on the bulkhead between the driver and passenger. Uses the bolts from the engine mount. I  find it very efficient, if not, too warm!

https://traction-owners.co.uk/forums/search/heater/

 

Alistair

[David SelfridgeParticipant]

I have also fitted a Clayton Heater useing a tee from the top and bottom radiator hoses and fitted through the existing heater opening in the bulkhead. The Pics in Alistair’s post are the same way that I had my heater fitted, as I had a new piece of red carpet left over, I wrapped the hoses (in the cabin) with the carpet, held in place with fine cable ties for easy removability, just in case a jubilee clip would start leaking.  The Clayton works well in summer and winter without a thermostat, in the winter the heater stops the windshield from steaming up inside, so no need for additional tubes or electrical elements. It’s also a cheap fit,  as they come new at a fairly reasonable price or you could get a very good secondhand one, I think most land rovers had them fitted and possibly the Morris Minor?

Davy

 

 

[Jack PeppiattParticipant]

Thank you Alistair and David. Alistair I had seen your post on the subject and agree with you both that the Clayton heater would look right and is a period correct accessory. I have bid on a couple recently on eBay, however the seem to reach around £150 and I was enquiring if an alternative had been used, other than perhaps the Morris Minor circular Smiths heater.

I am surprised that the heater works efficiently without a thermostat, I have a 1934 Wolseley Hornet Special, to which a Smiths heater has been fitted, however the engine, despite having no fan just a water pump, the heater did not get hot in winter until I added a thermostat.

Thanks for your thoughts, I will keep looking for Clayton, I like the look of them.

Thanks Jack

[David SelfridgeParticipant]

Jack

For your square Jaeger clock, your best bet would be Bernie Shaw or John Gillard.

Davy

 

[BernieParticipant]

Re Jaeger Clock

Jack- In response to Davy’s post, I regret I do not have the clock you seek – but I may have a suitable/adaptable winder that will do the job.

If you can tell me what length it should (or must) be and how it attaches to the drive on the clock mechanism (perhaps a photo if it is accessible) I shall be happy to sort through my depleting stock of bits.

B………….

[Jack PeppiattParticipant]

Hello Bernie,

Thank you for your reply.  This is the instrument end of the adjuster, the flexible tail would ideally be between 80 and 120mm’s however anything would do, as I can probably modify it to suit.

Regards Jack

 

[AlistairParticipant]

I have an old, square dash with a clock, I think! Will look when I am home in a few days and get back to you.

Alistair

[Richard LarterParticipant]

I plan to fit an Austin Gipsy heater over the winter to my Light 15. It is a rectangular design with flaps at each end and fairly slim so it will not intrude too much. The car runs cool even on the M25 in the summer so a thermostat will be needed, either fitted in the top hose or in a separate housing. The housing from a Rover with a K series engine looks like a possibility.

Cheers Richard

[Non MemberParticipant]

Hi Richard, out of interest the previous owner of my car fitted an American made South Wind petrol heater.  This works extremely well.   Its a ’50’s item which is right for my ’54 car.   Here’s one on ebay (albeit in the states).  I think John Gillard sourced and fitted it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stewart-Warner-South-Wind-Heater/173055836807?hash=item284aee8287:g:gMQAAOSwv-ZaQrqH:rk:40:pf:0

David

[Jack PeppiattParticipant]

Dear Alistair and Richard,

Thanks Alistair, if you do have one I would be most interested.

Richard, I think I have found an image of the Gypsy heater, which other than the fan motor which sticks out is appears to be slimmer than the Clayton or smiths version. If you have the heater handy, would you be kind enough to measure and perhaps post a photo please. Where did you source the heater?

Regards to everyone for the invaluable help

Jack

 

[Richard LarterParticipant]

Hi Jack

Sorry for the delay in measuring the Gipsy heater. The main casing is 340mm long, 200mm wide and 50mm deep. The motor protrudes about 80mm from the casing and there are brackets on the back 35mm deep which give a clearance for the air intake. Some heaters have a single speed motor which is slimmer. I dismantled several Gipsys many years ago and am currently building a flexitor Gipsy with a Land Rover body.

Cheers Richard

 

 

 

 

[BernieParticipant]

Jack,
If Alistair’s dead clock is not suitable I have 3 possible “winders”, all from French Tractions. They are actually from “OS” instruments and push on to a 3mm diameter spindle with a screw to retain them.
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Once you have Alistair’s input I look forward to hearing your thoughts on any of these.</p>
b……………

[AlistairParticipant]

I am heading home today so may have an answer by the weekend

Alistair

[Jack PeppiattParticipant]

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your photos and further info. The heater looks ideal, slim and would fit the centre of the bulkhead a treat. It looks as if the water pipe are circa15mm and could possibly be shortened.

Anyway thank you I shall have a search for one

Regards Jack

 

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